History of Childhood Behavior Problems in Biological Relatives of Boys With Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and Conduct Disorder

Assessed the history of childhood behavior problems in the biological relatives of 177 outpatient boys aged 7 to 12 years with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or conduct disorder (CD). The mothers, fathers, and other biological relatives of children with ADHD were significantly more likely to have a history of childhood ADHD but not problems of antisocial behavior or substance use in childhood Attention deficit disorder with or without hyperactivity was similarly associated with a family history of ADHD. In contrast, fathers of children with CD were more likely to have a childhood history of either CD or substance abuse, although these results did not remain significant with the effects of race and socioeconomic status controlled. These results provide further support for the independence of ADHD and CD as clinical syndromes, in spite of their high degree of comorbidity.